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CIMA drops exemption fees for accounting students

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) is ending the practice of charging exemption fees for new students, who hold a relevant degree or qualification, to encourage accessibility and social mobility

2 Aug 2019

Sara White

Effective from 1 August 2019, the change will apply to all new exemption applications made by students registered to study for the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting and the CIMA Professional Qualification. The aim is to encourage more CIMA students to start their studies and further support their career development.

There are currently over 117,000 students across 156 countries progressing towards completing their CIMA Professional Qualification and earning the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation. This is a first for professional bodies in the accounting sector in the UK.

Andrew Harding FCMA, CGMA, chief executive – management accounting said: ‘CIMA students come from many different backgrounds and countries with a variety of educational experiences and qualifications, and the Institute believes that students should not be put at a disadvantage for undertaking prior learning in the accounting field.

'By removing a significant barrier to entry into CIMA qualifications, we want to offer the opportunity to build a successful and sustainable career to as many individuals as possible and help create a diverse, dynamic and future-ready workforce.

‘We are setting a new standard for the accounting profession and hope that other professional bodies will join us in delivering greater accessibility and equity into the profession.’

Backed by the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA), the unified voice of the CIMA and AICPA, the CIMA Professional Qualification is recognised as the most relevant finance programme for professionals seeking a career in business.

Last updated in January 2019, it now also includes trending and future-focused topics such as digital strategy, blockchain and artificial intelligence, to help CIMA students meet the needs of the rapidly changing digital business world.